Automatic curtain-operating equipment



Aug. 10 1926.

J. D. KURNER AUTOMATIC 001mm OPERATING EQUIPMENT Filed Jan. 22, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 2 0 0 9 v 4! 0 ,W m I III. I m 7 M w 3 1 m 1 W m I l I H r a WM ww /Wa Aug. 10 1926.

J. D. KURNER AUTOMATIC CURTAIN OPERATING EQUIPIENT Filed Jan. 22, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

UNITED STATES JOHN D. BURNER, 0F CLEITELAND, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC CURTAIN -OPERATIN G EQUIPMENT.

Application filed January 22, 1926. Serial No. 83,160.

My invention relates to apparatus for operating stage, lecture platform and other curtains. The invention particularly relates to apparatus of this character by which the curtains can be opened and closed by an even, steady movement and at the exactly correct time, from different ,positions in the hall or theater, according to the convenience and requirements of the particular situation, and to apparatus by which the curtain-operating mechanism will be automatically sto ped when the curtain has been moved to the desired closed or open position.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain means embodying my invention, such means disclosing, however, but two of the many equivalent forms by which the rinciple of the invention may be illustrated? In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 represents a fragmentary front elevation of my improved curtain-operating mechanism, disclosing also fragmentary portions of a pair of horizontally-movable curtains adapted to be operated by this mechanism;

Figure 2 represents a fragmentary sideelevation of certain drive and switch box elements forming part of the improved mechanism;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section, upon an enlarged scale, taken in the plane indicated by the line III-III, Figurel;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section, taken in the plane indicated by the line IVIV, Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan section, taken in the planes indicated by the line VV, Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical section, upon an enlarged scale, of the switch box, the section being taken adjacently interior of the front cover;

-Figures 7, 8 and 9 are plan sections, taken, respectively, in the planes indicated by the lines VII-VII, VIIIVIII, and IX -IX, Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary front elevation, upon an enlarged scale, of the switch box as it is shown in Figure 1;

Figure 11 is' a diagrammatic view illustrating the electric circuits and the wiring arrangement, the wiring being suitable for a remote control of the apparatus;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary front elevation of a curtain-o crating mechanism provided with a modifi ating means particularly adaptable for the operation of wide curtains;

Figure 13 is a partial side elevation and a partial vertical longitudinal section taken in the planes indicated by the line XIII- XIII, Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary plan section, upon an enlarged scale, taken in the lane ilrdicated by the line XIV-XIV, Flgure Figure 15 is an elevation of a particular guide member forming part of the modified form of switch-operating means, the View being taken from the plane indicated by the line XV-XV,Fi ure 13; and

Figure 16 is a ragmentary vertical section, upon an enlarged scale, taken in the plane indicated by the line XVIXVI, Figure 13.

Referring to the annexed drawings in which the same parts are indicated by the same respective ordinals in the several views, I show a main base plate 1 upon which are mounted two brackets 3 provided with bearings for a transverse shaft 2 upon which is mounted a pulley 7 adapted to be turned by a belt 6 running to the motor shaft 5 of a motor 4. The shaft 2 is a worm-shaft which copper-ates with a wormwheel 8 rigidly connected to a longitudinal shaft 9 mounted" in the brackets 3. Mountedupon the shaft 9 is a cable drum 10 adapted to be rigidly connected to the worm-wheel 8 through the medium of a pin 11 intersecting a hole 12 in the wormwheel 8 and held in position by a cotter pin 60. An oil reservoir within which the worm-shaft 2 turns is indicated by the ordinal 61. An endless cable which is adapted to operate the curtains in both directions passes around the cable drum 10 and I indicate the two sections of this endless cable which travel'in opposite directions at any one time by the ordinals 13 and-13. In the form of invention herein shown and described, for purposes of illustration, I have assumed that the curtain to be operated comprises a pair of horizontally-movable curtains 19 and 20 which together are adapted to form a closure for the stage opening. A main support for the curtain is indicated by the ordinal 18 and the same is a track-bar formed with depending ed form of switch-operhangers 17 upon a pair of which are 'tical edges 19 mounted vertical pulleys 14 and 15 and upon another of which is mounted an angular pulley 16, all as plainly shown 1n Figure 1, whereby, in combination with the cable drum 10, a circuit is formed for the travel of the endless cable. To the endless cable are secured, intermediate the pulley 14 and the pulley 16, the upper inner verand 20" of the curtains 19 and 20; The upper outer vertical edges of the curtains 19 and 20, respectively, are secured by the straps 40 and 41 to one pair of the hangers 17. The curtains 19 and 20 are freely hung from the two sections 13 and 13 of the endless cable by means of links 42. It is evident that the travel of the endless cable in one direction will draw the two inner vertical edgps of the curtains 19 and 20 toward each ot er to form a closure for the stage opening and the operation of the endless cable in the other direction will separate the curtains19 and 20 to uncover the stage opening.

The means for thus operating the endless cable and for stopping the same at the desired position of the curtains 19 and 20 will now be described in detail. These 0 crating means are driven by the motor 4 an the latter is started by throwing on either of the two switches shownin the wiring diagram in Figure 11, as desired. Assuming that the operation of the endless cable is in the dlrection of the arrows shown in Figure 1, so as to result in closing the stage opening, I

' direct particular attention to the fact that a ball or stop 38 on the cable section 13 will move downwardly until it intersects a loop 36 upon a spring connect-ion 36 which is connected at its other end to a rock-bar 35, centrally, pivotally mounted upon a pin 27 mounted in a box 21. This box 21 is the enclosure for a reversing motor-switch and the rock-arm 35 is a switch-operating lever. The other end of the lever 35 is secured to asecond spring connection 37 whose outer end is formed with a loop 37 through which asses the section 13 of the endless cable. hen the endless cable is traveling in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrows, the loop 37 is intersected by a second ball or stop 39 secured to the cable section 13' for the purpose of rocking the arm 35 in a direction opposite to that in which it is rocked by the intersection of the loop 36 by the ball or stop 38. The detail of the switch-operating mechanism will now be described.

Referring particularl to Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, it will be note that a contact bar 23 is secured adjacent one end of the pin 27 and Within the box 21, the lower end 23' of which plays within a recess 34' formed by a loop member 34 secured to the slate base of the switch box 21. This contact bar 23 carries a series of three contacts 24,

25 and 26, each extending transversely of the bar 23 and upon both sides of the same so as to co-operate with two series of contacts 28, 29 and 30, and 31, 32 and 33, all as plainly shown in Figure 6. and also as diagrammatically shown in Figure 11. It is evident then that the turning of the pin 27 through the medium of the lever 35 will swing the contact bar 23 so as to release the plates 24, 25 and 26 from one series of switch contacts 28, 29 and 30 or 31, 32 and 33, and place them in communication with the other series. By reference to the wiring diagram in Figure 11, it will be noted that whichever of these actions takes place. the result is to stop the motor 4. This, of

course, results in the stopping of the cur-,

tam-operating mechanism including the movement of the endlesscable. The stop members 38 and 39 which effect the rocking of the lever 35 are so positioned with ref erence to the cable travel and with reference to the loops 36 and 37 that this stopping ofthe motor takes place when the curtains 19 and 20 have been moved to the proper closed position or proper opened position, as desired. Suitable supports and bases for mounting the switch box 21 upon the base 1 are indicated by the ordinal 22.

Referring particularly to Figures 12 to 16, inclusive, I therein disclose a modified form of switch-operating means especially adapted for the operation of wide curtains. Some modification is advisable for the operation of horizontally-moving wide curtains because not enough head room is ordinarily available for the necessarily long operation of a devicesuch as is shown in Figure 1. To the worm-shaft 2, Figure 12, I secure a bevel gear'53 adapted to co-operate with a second bevel gear 54 formed upon a verti cal hub member 65 mounted upon a stand ard 66 supported by the main base 1. \Vith in this hub member 65 is secured a vertical rod 55 formed with an exterior screw thread for a greater portion of its length, the upper end 55 of which is rotatably secured to a centralizing, steadying pin 59 secured with in a plug 58 which closes the upper end of a rectangular guide barrel 56 which surrounds the greater portion of the screw rod 55. The guide 56 is formed with a vertical slot 57, as plainly shown in Figure 15, and extending through this slot are hookshaped pins 47 and 49 seated, respectively, in sleeves 50 and 51, adapted to slide in the guide barrel 56. To the extending hooked ends of these pins 47 and 49 are respectively secured the outer ends of spring links 46 and 48 whose inner ends are secured to the outer free end of an arm 52 whose inner end is formed with a hub member 52' secured to the pin 27 which is mounted in the switch box 21. The sleeves 50 and 51 are formed with enlarged holes through which the screw rod 55 passes. It

is evident that the actuation of the motor will, through the medium of the drive, plainly shown in Figure 12, result in the turning of the screw rod 55 and the consequent travel up or down of a pair of square nuts 67 and 68 contained wit in the guide 56 and having threaded holes co-operating with the screw rod 55 until one of the other of the nuts 67 or 68 has moved the sleeve 50 or 51 far enough to rock the arm 52 so as to turn the pin 27 and operate the switch to shut off the motor. The necessary travel of the nuts 67 and 68 to'rock the arm 52 takes enou h time to provide for the opening and c osing movements of a wide curtain, and the mechanism can be accommodated in the head room that is ordinarily afforded. In this form of device, a particular supporting and bracing assembly for the mounting of the switch box 21 is indicated by the ordinal 45, certain transverse braces 45 of this assembly also serving to support the guide 56 and associated elements.

In case of emergency, hand-operation of the endless cable is afforded by removing the cotter pin 60 and the pin 11, Figure 3, and .freeing the drum 10 from the worm-wheel 8.

The curtain may be controlled from one or more points by my improved mechanism and operated from either point independently of the others. The speed of the curtain travel can be regulated within wide limits and the curtain movement is even and steady. The time of operating can be made exact by reason of eliminating a stage attendant curtain operator and placing one point of curtain control in the operating ooth under control of the stage manager or machine operator. The wiring arrangement is such as to provide for remote control of the apparatus.

Instead of using the form of reversing switch shown, which rovides for automatic stopping of the curtaln at a definitely determined full opening or closing position, it is within the spirit ofmy invention to use a standard magnetic reversing switch which will provide for the stopping and starting of the curtain at any point in its opening or closin path of travel.

Alt ough I have shown for pur oses of illustration a pair of horizonta y-moving curtains, the apparatus is adapted for use with only one such curtain, or a sin le vertically-moving curtain or so-called rop.

What I claim is:

1. Automatic curtain-operating equipment comprising, an electric motor, a pair of horizontally-movable curtains, a cable, said ourtains being respectively secured to two sections of said cable travelling in opposite directions, pulleys for said cable and means for mounting the same, means for driving said cable in either direction from said motor,

' cable and motor-startin means, a reversing switch for shutting ofi t e motor, and ad'ustable stop members secured to said cable or actuatin said switch in either direction of travel 0 the cable, when the latter has carried the curtains the desired distance.

2. Automatic curtain-operating equipment comprising, an electric motor, a pair of horizonta ly-movable curtains adapted to present a complete openin closure, means securing the respective outside vertical edges of said curtains, and endless cable, the respective inside vertical edges of said our tains being secured to two sections of said cable traveling in opposite directions, pulle s for said cable and means for mounting t e same, means for driving said cable from said motor, motor-starting means, a reversing switch for shutting off the motor, and stop members secured to said cable for actuating said switch in either direction of travel of the cable.

3. Automatic curtain-operating equipment comprising, an electric motor, a pair of ourtains adapted to present a complete opening closure, means securing the respective outside vertical edges of said curtains, an endless cable, said curtains being respectively loosely linked upon two sections of said cable traveling in opposite directions and being res ectively secured at their inside vertical e ges to said cable, pulleys for said means for mounting the same, means for driving said cable from said motor, motor-starting means, a rock-arm switch for shutting off the motor, switchactuating members secured respectively to the ends of said rock arm, and stop members secured to said cable and adapted to contact and move said switch-actuating members, respectively, when the cable has carried the curtains the desired distance.

4:. Automatic curtain-operating equipment comprising, an electric motor, a trackbar provi ed with depending hangers, ulleys mounted in said hangers, an en less cable traversing said pulleys and moving in both directions longitudinally of said track bar, a pair of oppositely moving curtains supported by the two sections of said cable, secured respectively at their outer vertical edges to a pair of said hangers, and secured respectively at their inner vertical edges to said cable sections, 'a cable drum also traversed by said cable, means for driving said cable drum from the motor, motor-starting means, a switch for shutting off said motor, and stop members secured to said cable for actuatin said switch in either direction of travel 0 the cable.

5. Automatic curtain-operating equipment comprising, an electric motor, a trackbar provided with depending hangers, pulleys mounted in said hangers, a cable traversing said pulleys and moving in both directions longitudinally of said track-bar, a pair of curtains secured to the two oppositely-moving sections of said cable, means for securing the outer vertical edges ofsaid curtains, a cable drum also traversed by said cable, a worm-wheel on the drum'shaft, a

transverse shaft having a worm and a pulley, a belt traversing said last-mentioned pulley and means, a rock-arm switch for shutting off the motor, switch-actuating members secured re= spectively to the ends of said rock-arm, and stop members secured to said cable and adapted to contact and move said switchactuating members respectively when the cable has carried the curtains the desired distance.

6. Automatic curtain-operating equipment comprising, an electrlc motor, a trackbar provided with depending hangers, pulleys mounted in saidhangers, an endless cable traversing said pulleys and moving in the'motor shaft, motor-starting h both directions longitudinally of said trackbar, apair of oppositely moving curtains supported by the two oppositely-moving sections of said cable, secured respectively at their outer vertical edges to a pair of said hangers, and secured res ectively at their inner vertical edges to sais cable sections, a cable drum also traversed by said cable, a worm wheel on the drum shaft, a transverse shaft having a worm and a pulley, a H

belt traversing said last-1nentioned pulley and the motor shaft, motor-starting means,

a rock-arm switch for shutting off the motor,

switch-actuating members secured respectively to the ends of said roclcarm, and sto members secured to said cable and adapted to contact and move said switch-actuating members, respectively, when the cable has carried the curtains the desired distance. I Signed by me this 19th day of January,

JOHN D. KURNER. 

